Blinn’s 200-hour plumbing course will meet Mondays and Wednesdays from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 24, through Wednesday, April 4. The 200-hour carpentry course will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays from 5:30-9:30 p.m., and will run Thursday, Jan. 25, through Thursday, April 5. Blinn offered both courses last summer at The Texas A&M University System’s RELLIS Campus.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the national demand for plumbers is expected to grow 16 percent between 2016 and 2026, generating 75,800 additional jobs with a median pay of $51,450 per year. Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley anticipates 17 percent job growth locally during that same span, with an hourly salary range between $12.17 and $21.27.

The national demand for carpenters is expected to grow 8 percent between 2016 and 2026, generating 87,000 jobs nation-wide with a median pay of $43,600 per year. Workforce Solutions Brazos Valley anticipates 14.5 percent job growth locally during that same span, with an hourly wage between $11.65 and $18.

The courses are designed following National Center for Construction Education & Research (NCCER) curriculum. This nationally recognized curriculum was developed with the cooperation of more than 125 construction CEOs, trade association officials, and academic leaders. Students who complete these courses will earn the Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA) 10-Hour Construction Certificate; the NCCER Core Construction Certificate; the NCCER Level I Certificate for plumbing or carpentry; and the Blinn College Certificate of Completion.

“I don’t know that there are many training programs where you can earn three nationally recognized credentials, and in addition to that you can earn a Blinn College certificate,” said Jay Anderson, Dean of Technical and Community Programs. “Students who earn these credentials must pass written and performance measures, so employers know that they not only understand the material but have demonstrated hands-on skills.”

Graduates of the plumbing course will:

understand the tasks and responsibilities of the plumbing profession;

know how to identify hazards and how to respond to those situations;

be familiar with basic plumbing tools;

learn the mathematics used by plumbers to calculate dimensions;

be introduced to construction drawings and code requirements;

receive an overview of the material, schedules, and application of plastic piping;

learn the materials, schedules, and properties of copper tube, fittings, and valves, and know how to measure, ream and cut copper tube;

learn the proper application of cast-iron piping, and be able to measure, cut, join, and support cast-iron piping;

learn the common fittings and valves and demonstrate the ability to measure, cut, and join steel pipe;

understand the selection and installation of faucets and fixtures;

learn the installation requirements for different types of drains, fittings, and vents;

and demonstrate the ability to identify components and functions of a water distribution system and the relationship between the components.

Graduates of the carpentry course will:

understand the history of the trade and current career opportunities;

learn the materials, fasteners, and anchors used in the industry;

demonstrate safe operation of power and hand tools;

learn to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications;

understand the layout, construction, and identification of floor systems, components, and materials;

understand the procedures for laying out and framing walls, including door and window openings and corners;

understand ceiling and roofing framing, including the use of trusses, gable roofing, and gable end walls;

understand how to build envelope systems;

and understand basic stair layout.

Graduates of both courses will be qualified for entry-level industry positions. Jason Rees, a master plumber, will teach the plumbing course, and Rick Weiss, a certified carpenter, will teach the carpentry course. Each course is $1,950, and scholarships for up to 50 percent of the cost are available.

Prospective students can register by visiting the Hodde Center, located at 2910 S. Blue Bell Road in Brenham, during regular business hours. As part of Blinn’s Division of Technical & Community Education, its staff works in cooperation with local businesses to provide a well-trained workforce that strengthens the local economy.

Business owners can enroll their employees in Hodde Center courses using Texas Workforce Commission Skills Development and Skills for Small Business funds, and Hodde Center staff can help businesses complete the request form. Blinn also offers students access to scholarships through the Blinn College Foundation, private grants, and Workforce Solutions.

For more information regarding the Hodde Center and it course offerings, call 979-830-4443 or visit: www.blinn.edu/workforce.